From Songbook to Stage: David Gray’s Storytelling Shines in Liverpool

David Gray at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall 
31st March 2025

A Masterclass in Nostalgia and Renewal

David Gray’s Past & Present Tour arrived at Liverpool’s stunning Philharmonic Hall on Monday night, offering a rich, emotionally resonant journey through a career spanning more than three decades. Playing to a sold-out crowd, Gray proved he’s lost none of his magnetism, combining cherished hits with fresh material and a few reverent nods to his musical inspirations.

The Philharmonic, with its vaulted ceilings and warm, enveloping acoustics, was the perfect setting for Gray’s introspective yet stirring brand of songwriting. Even before he set foot on stage, the mood was celebratory, the crowd buzzing with Liverpudlian charm. “Go on, David lad!” came the shout, to which he grinned and replied that yes, he would go on, but we’d all need to pace ourselves.

And pace he did. Gray delivered a remarkable 2 hour and 20-minute set that served not only as a career retrospective but also a testament to his evolution as an artist.

He opened boldly with tracks from his latest album Dear Life, including the driving Leave Taking, which, as he noted, kick-started the project. The new material has been a long time coming, and offers complex, thought provoking stuff both lyrically and musically. It landed well with the crowd though – its layered, modern textures still unmistakably Gray, and his gravelled voice carrying the weight of experience.

The momentum built steadily. Songs from 2005’s Life in Slow Motion, like Nos Da Cariad and From Here You Can Almost See the Sea, showcased his flair for the cinematic and melancholic, while deeper cuts like Fugitive and Singing for the Pharaoh shimmered with newfound vitality.

Of course, it was the tracks from his White Ladder era that sent the crowd into full, arms-aloft euphoria. Please Forgive Me arrived early, its infectious rhythm prompting the night’s first mass singalong. Later, the inevitable Babylon closed the main set, a sea of phones lighting the room as the audience, word-perfect and ecstatic, sang with abandon.

Yet Gray wasn’t content to coast on nostalgia. He surprised and delighted with a series of covers that revealed both taste and tenderness. Marc Almond’s Say Hello, Wave Goodbye was delivered stripped-back and aching, while his interpretation of Van Morrison’s The Way Young Lovers Do channelled the spirit of the original with uncanny flair. A riotous, synth-tinged rendition of Depeche Mode’s Just Can’t Get Enough added unexpected levity, fusing 80’s pop energy with his signature intensity.

A standout moment came mid-set when Talia Rae, the support act, joined him for hauntingly beautiful duets on Plus and Minus and Fighting Talk. Their slick harmonies blended effortlessly, adding emotional depth and showcasing Rae as a talent to watch. She later returned for Heart and Soul from Gray’s 2021 album Skellig, another highlight that proved his collaborative instincts remain sharp.

The night concluded with a moving encore that included the timeless The Other Side and, finally, Sail Away – a perfect closer, its bittersweet melody hanging in the air as the crowd stood to applaud, not quite ready to let go.

Whether you’d come for the classics or to discover what Gray’s been crafting in the shadows since his chart-topping heyday, this show had it all. It was nostalgic without being stuck in the past, reverent yet playful, intimate and soaring in equal measure.

At nearly 60, Gray shows no sign of slowing. His voice is still a force – rough, soulful, and startlingly emotive. I was surprised by the strength of connection with his audience, which remains effortless. For fans and newcomers alike, this was more than a gig. It was a reminder that music, when made with honesty and heart, doesn’t age – it just deepens.